BOLTS CAN’T STOP REDSKINS’ GARCON

Washington receiver has seven receptions for a career-high 172 yards

LANDOVER, Md. 
The third-down defense certainly didn’t help. Nor did the inability to cross the goal line in three tries from inside the 1.

But there was another factor that contributed to the Chargers’ demise against Washington — Pierre Garcon having the game of his life.

In his team’s 30-24 overtime win, the Redskins receiver caught seven passes for 172 yards — 26 more than his previous career-best. And his breakout performance wasn’t due to quarterback Robert Griffin III’s impeccable precision. In this case, it was Garcon who made Griffin’s stats look good.

“Pierre, stepping up big for us, made some great catches — made the catches that not many people can make,” Griffin said. “So he stepped up and the rest of the receivers followed his lead. It was great to see that, great to see fire. Great to see him ball out today.”

Garcon spent four years in Indianapolis before signing with the Redskins in 2012. He tallied a career-high 947 receiving yards in 2011 and never cracked the 800-yard mark before that.

These modest numbers made the five-year, $42.5 million contract — with $20.5 million guaranteed — he agreed to two springs ago seem exorbitant in the minds of some. But Sunday, it seemed just right.

Garcon’s first reception came in the first quarter when he gained 30 yards on a second down and 9. His next came in the second quarter when he picked up 13 yards on second-and-4.

Neither led to a score, and given that was the sum of his first-half contributions, it looked as though it would be another quiet day.

Yeah ... that wasn’t the case.

On the Redskins’ first drive of the second half, Garcon made a one-handed grab after beating Derek Cox for a 38-yard gain. Washington ended the possession with a touchdown.

On the Redskins’ second drive of the second half, Garcon caught a 32-yard pass from his team’s own 21.

Washington’s possession ended with a touchdown.

Garcon added catches of 26 and 16 yards in the fourth quarter. He had a 17-yard reception during the Redskins’ game-winning drive in overtime. All in all, it was a day to remember for him and one the Bolts soon hope to forget.

Garcon’s reaction?

“Just another day out there playing football,” he said. “We completed passes; I tried to get as many yards as I can after the catch. Sometimes you have good days, sometimes you have bad days.”

Safe to say this was a good day.

Garcon has 684 yards through eight games this year and is on pace to obliterate his previous career-high.

Was he worth the contract? That’s to be determined. But he was, no doubt, money on Sunday.